This multi-regional semester offers extended leadership, challenge and personal development.
Through the course of 72 days, you'll go from 8,000 feet to sea level and back up to the mountains. Majestic landscapes await in three different course areas, as you'll develop teamwork while working together to find your way, set up camp, cook your own meals over a camp stove and learn Leave No Trace techniques to minimize your impact on the land.
When you live and travel in the great outdoor classroom, you gain a clearer sense of your abilities, build strong bonds with your group and walk away with a greater understanding of the wilderness, our world and the direction you want your life to take.
Semester courses require strong commitment to persevere through the physical and mental challenges presented by an extended wilderness expedition. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion.
Itinerary
Phase I: Patagonia (approximately 32 days)
First, you head to exotic Patagonia. The ancient and lovely Andes Mountains beckons with difficult travel and instruction in alpine trekking skills as you prepare to summit an Andean peak in Argentina (weather depending). After extended backcountry living and a cross-cultural service project, you'll realize and appreciate the connection between teamwork and individual success as well as taking away an unbelievable sense of accomplishment. Takes place in the southern part of the Nahuel Huapi National Forest. You will alpine backpack/mountaineer.
Phase II: Everglades/Ten Thousand Islands of Florida (approximately 15 days)
On the second phase of your course, you'll head to beautiful Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands off the Gulf Coast of South Florida. These mangrove islands promote environmental study, group development and acquisition of expedition skills. During this phase, you'll continue to uncover the diversity of your crew by coastal canoeing and practice Leave No Trace techniques in this delicate ecosystem.
Phase III: Southern Appalachians of North Carolina (approximately 25 days)
The last phase of your semester course will bring you to the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the beautiful valleys and ridegelines to the 6,000 foot summits of the Appalachian Mountains you and your crewmates will get to know each other and your instructors, refine navigational skills backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater canoeing and end with a multi-day, unaccompanied expedition that brings together your group and draws on individual strengths, leadership and problem-solving.
If you do not currently have a passport, you should start the application process NOW. It can take many weeks for your paperwork to be processed and a passport issued. For passport information go to: http: //travel.state.gov/passport_services.html.
To apply for this course click the apply button next to the course dates that work for you. The non-refundable application fee of $125 is due at the time of application. Full course tuition and in-course transportation fee are due within 60 days of course start date. Course tuitions listed do not include our application fee or transportation fee. You can also call one of our expert Admissions Advisors at 866-467-7651.